November 2, 2025

U.S. military police, before dawn on October 1, patrolled the downtown entertainment district in Naha City. Experts have suggested that this may constitute a violation of Japanese sovereignty.

It was the first time that the U.S. military conducted such patrols independently in Naha City. Reportedly, the patrol was part of U.S. efforts to prevent a recurrence of sexual crimes involving U.S. servicemembers, which have repeatedly occurred in Okinawa. The patrol began at around 1:00 a.m. About 50 U.S. military personnel, including MPs carrying handguns, patrolled the city’s entertainment district.

Under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which grants special privileges to the U.S. military, if an incident occurs during patrols, it will be basically the U.S. side which is responsible for detaining any of its military personnel suspected of wrongdoing. Despite the fact that areas outside U.S. bases are Japanese territory, Japan is hindered from effectively exercising its police authority. This has been pointed out as an infringement of Japan’s sovereignty.

In Okinawa City as well, since April, MPs have conducted independent as well as joint patrols with the Okinawa prefectural police.